Indianapolis On North American Short List To Host World Cup Games

INDIANAPOLIS -- USA Soccer is partnering with Canada and Mexico in a "United Bid" for North America to host the 2026 World Cup. The United Bid Committee has released its short list of 41 cities in the United States that would serve as host cities for World Cup Soccer games.

Indianapolis is on that list, which will also include six cities in Canada in three cities in Mexico.

“The Host Cities will help define the United Bid," said United Bid Committee Executive Director John Kristick. "Each will offer the best facilities and infrastructure to stage the world’s biggest single-event sporting competition, the FIFA World Cup, and together, they will play a key role in the development of the sport in North America.”

However, this is not the final bid that will be made to FIFA. Only 25 cities will be included on the final bid, and, at the discretion of FIFA, only 12 cities in North America will end up hosting games if the bid is accepted.

“We’re thrilled with the submissions that we have received, especially each city’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, and we look forward to bringing the best group of candidate host cities together for our official United Bid," Kristick continued.

Factors that go into selecting the cities to host games include:

A stadium capable of hosting international soccer

Top international-level training sites

Locations for team base camps

Hotels for teams, staff, and VIPs

The bidding city's stadium must be able to seat a minimum of 41,000 people. Indianapolis meets that requirement with Lucas Oil Stadium, which is able to seat 70,000.

The Bid Committee also takes into account the city's aspirations for developing soccer in their community and their commitment to sustainable event management.

Bidding for the 2026 World Cup is down to North America's United Bid and Morocco. Both candidates must now submit their proposals for consideration by FIFA, with a decision to be made at the FIFA Congress next June.